Adjustable rack

ABSTRACT

A support rack for holding a plurality of pans includes a first side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member, and a second side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member. A hinge assembly couples the first and second side frames and is operable to position the rack in a first position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart, a second position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are nonparallel, and a third position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel but closer in proximity than the predetermined distance.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a mobile support rack that iscollapsible and nestable with a plurality of other support racks fortransport and storage.

Mobile support racks provide a structure upon which several items, suchas baking pans in a commercial kitchen, can be efficiently transportedwhere needed. The size of rack necessary for conventional commercialbaking pans, however, renders storage of such racks cumbersome, asmultiple racks use up valuable kitchen or bakery space. In addition, itis difficult for a user to transport multiple conventional support racksfor storage at one time.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of a support rack, a first side frame includes a firstvertical support member, a second vertical support member, and a supportsurface extending between the first vertical support member and thesecond vertical support member. A second side frame includes a firstvertical support member, a second vertical support member, and a supportsurface extending between the first vertical support member and thesecond vertical support member. A hinge assembly includes a first hingeassembly coupling the second vertical support members of the first andsecond side frames and a second hinge assembly orthogonal to the firsthinge assembly and coupling the first side frame to the second sideframe. The hinge assembly is operable to position the first side framefrom a first position relative to the second side frame to a secondposition relative to the second side frame.

In one embodiment of a support rack for holding a plurality of pans, therack includes a first side frame including a first vertical supportmember and a second vertical support member, and a second side frameincluding a first vertical support member and a second vertical supportmember. A hinge assembly couples the first and second side frames and isoperable to position the rack in a first position in which the firstside frame and the second side frame are parallel and spaced apredetermined distance apart, a second position in which the first sideframe and the second side frame are nonparallel, and a third position inwhich the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel butcloser in proximity than the predetermined distance.

In one embodiment of a support rack, a first side frame includes a firstvertical support member, a second vertical support member, and a supportsurface extending between the first vertical support member and thesecond vertical support member. A second side frame includes a firstvertical support member, a second vertical support member, and a supportsurface extending between the first vertical support member and thesecond vertical support member. A hinge assembly is operable to positionthe first side frame from a first position relative to the second sideframe in which the distance between the first vertical support membersof the first and second side frames is equal to the distance between thesecond vertical support members of the first and second side frames, toa second position relative to the second side frame in which the firstvertical support members of the first and second side frames are closerin proximity than the second vertical support members of the first andsecond side frames.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a support rack in an operationalconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the support rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the support rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support rack of FIG. 2 takenalong line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a hinge assembly of the support rack ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the support rack of FIG. 1 in anested configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the support rack of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the support rack of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the support rack of FIG. 7 takenalong line 9-9.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the support rack of FIG. 1 in acollapsed configuration.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the support rack of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the support rack of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the support rack of FIG. 11 takenalong line 13-13.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the support rack of FIG. 1 in use.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a plurality of support racks in the nestedconfiguration of FIG. 6.

FIG. 16 is a top view of a plurality of support racks in the collapsedconfiguration of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17A is a partial perspective view of a handle assembly for use withthe support rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17B is a partial perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG.17A for use with the support rack of FIG. 6.

FIG. 18 is rear perspective view of another support rack in anoperational configuration.

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the support rack of FIG. 18 in anested configuration.

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the support rack of FIG. 18 in acollapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. And as used herein and in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”,and other directional terms are not intended to require any particularorientation, but are instead used for purposes of description only.

A support rack of the invention will be herein described for, but is notlimited to, operational use with kitchen and bakery equipment. Withreference to FIG. 1, a support rack 10 includes a first side frame 14and a second side frame 18. Each side frame 14, 18 is formed from afirst vertical support member 22 and a second vertical support member26, each member 22, 26 having a first end 30 and a second end 34, and agenerally horizontal support member 38 extending between the first ends30. A rolling element, such as a caster wheel 46, is coupled to each ofthe vertical support members 22, 26 at the bottom end 34.

A plurality of equally or unequally spaced lateral members 42 arecoupled to the vertical support members 22, 26. Specifically, eachlateral member 42 of the first side frame 14 presents a first supportsurface, or ledge 70, and an opposing lateral member 42 of the secondside frame 18 presents a second support surface, or ledge 74. The firstand second surfaces 70, 74 define end portions of a truncated planeextending therebetween, which is substantially parallel to the surfaceover which the caster wheels 46 roll. Referring also to FIG. 14, theedges of several baking pans are shown resting on the respective firstand second ledges 70, 74 of a plurality of opposing lateral members 42.Each ledge pair 70, 74 supports the weight of a pan and its contentsbetween the first and second side frames 14, 18. In this operationalconfiguration, the side frames 14, 18 are positioned a predetermineddistance apart corresponding to the size of the object, such as a bakingpan, to be supported.

A hinge assembly 50 couples the two side frames 14, 18 together and canbe positioned to configure the frames 14, 18 in an operational, nested,or collapsed relationship, as further detailed below. The hinge assembly50 includes a first or vertical hinge assembly 54 and a second orhorizontal hinge assembly 58 orthogonal to the vertical hinge assembly54.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the vertical hinge assembly 54 includes a firstend linkage member 62 and a second end linkage member 66. The first endlinkage member 62 is rotatably coupled to the vertical support member 26of the first side frame 14 at a pivot connection 78 and rotatablycoupled to the vertical support member 26 of the second side frame 18 ata pivot connection 86 proximate the caster wheel 46. The second endlinkage member 66 is rotatably coupled to the vertical support member 26of the second side frame 18 at a pivot connection 82 and rotatablycoupled to the vertical support member 26 of the first side frame 14 ata pivot connection 90 proximate the opposing caster wheel 46. Thelocations of connections 78, 82, and of 86, 90 illustrated are notlimiting and other locations can be used in other embodiments. Thesecond end linkage member 66 includes a slot 94 through which the firstend linkage member 62 passes, and the first and second end linkagemembers 62, 66 are pivotally coupled with a pin connection 98 at theapproximate midpoint of the slot 94.

Referring also to FIG. 5, the pivot members 86, 90 are coupled tosliding members 190, each of which includes a first aperture 194 thatreceives a pin 196 to rotatably secure the respective pivot member 86,90. The members 190 are translatable about a slide rail 202 via a secondaperture 198. A mounting bracket 214 positioned at a first end 206 and asecond end 210 of the slide rail 202 secures the rail to the respectivevertical members 26. The sliding members 190 and thus the members 86, 90are operable to slide along the slide rail 202 between the two mountingbrackets 214, which thereby define travel stops for the sliding members190. In a similar manner, the pivot members 78, 82 are each coupled to asliding member 190 operable to slide along a slide rail 218. The sliderail 218 is generally shorter than the slide rail 202, i.e., the firstend 222 and a second end 226 are generally closer together. The sliderails 218 are mounted to the respective vertical members 26 at the ends222, 226 with additional mounting brackets 214. In some constructions,the slide rail 218 is dimensioned to afford limited, if any, travel forthe associated sliding member 190 and pivot members 78, 82. In analternative embodiment, the relative positions of the slide rails 202and 218 can be switched on a vertical support member 26.

As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal hinge assembly 58 includes a firstlinkage member 130 and a second linkage member 134. The first linkagemember 130 is rotatably coupled to the vertical member 26 of the firstside frame 14 at a pivot connection 142 with a pin 220 and a mountingbracket 228, and rotatably coupled to a centrally located crosspiece 146of the second side frame 18 at a pivot connection 154. The secondlinkage member 134 is rotatably coupled to the vertical member 26 of thesecond side frame 18 at a pivot connection 150 with a pin 220 and amounting bracket 228, and rotatably coupled to a crosspiece 138 of thefirst side frame 14 at a pivot connection 158. The locations ofconnections 142, 150, and of connections 154, 158 are not limiting andother locations can be used in other embodiments.

Referring also to FIG. 5, the first linkage member 130 includes a firstslot 162 with a first end 166 and a second end 170. The second linkagemember 134 includes a second slot 174 with a first end 178 and a secondend 182. A sliding pin 186 is received by the first and second slots162, 174 and slidably couples the first and second linkage members 130,134. Alternatively, the first and second linkage members 130, 134 can bestraight bar linkages rather than angled or bent as illustrated.

Sliding members 230 each include a first aperture 234 that receives apin 236 to rotatably secure the respective pivot connections 154, 158.The sliding members 230 translate about a slide rail 242 via a secondaperture 238. The slide rail 242 includes a first end 246 and a secondend 250 mounted to the respective crosspieces 138, 146 via individualmounting brackets 214. The sliding members 230 are operable to slidealong the slide rail 242 between the two mounting brackets 214, whichdefine travel stops for the sliding members 230. This motion rotates therespective first and second linkage members 130, 134 about theconnections 142, 150. The slide rails 242 can be longer in length thaneither of the slide rails 218 and 202.

Again referring to FIG. 14, the operational configuration of the supportrack 10 is shown with baking pans P supported on the plurality oflateral support members 42, as previously described. From theoperational configuration, the hinge assembly 50 is further operable toplace the side frames 14, 18 in a nested configuration, as shown inFIGS. 6-9, and in a collapsed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 10-13,both of which facilitate storage of the support rack 10.

The nested configuration, shown in FIGS. 6-9, places the side frames 14,18 in a ‘V’ shape, such that the support members 26 are closer togetherthan the support members 22. To adjust the frames 14, 18 from theoperational configuration to the nested configuration, the secondvertical support members 26 of the first and second side frames 14, 18are manually forced together. Concurrently, the first and second endlinkage members 62, 66 rotate about the end pivot 98 as the pivotmembers 86, 90 slide along the slide rails 202 from the second ends 210toward the first ends 206 and the pivot members 154, 158 slide alongslide rails 242 from the first ends 246 toward the second ends 250.Simultaneously, the sliding pin 186 moves from the second ends 170, 182of slots 162, 174, respectively, to the first ends 166, 178.

By nesting multiple support racks, the user saves space when storing theracks and can more easily transport multiple support racks. Withreference to FIG. 15, the nested configuration allows the user to storea plurality of support racks 254 by nesting one support rack withanother to form a straight row.

To reconfigure a nested rack to the operational position, the verticalmembers 26 are manually forced apart, which causes pivot members 86, 90to slide along rails 202 toward the second ends 210 as the sliding pin186 of linkages 130, 134 moves from the first ends 166, 178 to thesecond ends 170, 182 of the slots 162, 174.

The collapsed configuration, shown in FIGS. 10-13, places the sideframes 14, 18 closer together than in the operational configurationwhile remaining in a parallel orientation. To adjust the frames 14, 18from the operational configuration to the collapsed configuration, thefirst and second vertical support members 22, 26 of each side frame 14,18 are manually forced together. Concurrently, the first and second endlinkage members 62, 66 rotate about the end pivot 98 as the pivotmembers 86, 90 slide along slide rails 202 from the second ends 210toward the first ends 206 and the pivot members 154, 158 slide alongslide rails 242 from the first ends 246 toward the second end 250. Incontrast to the nested position (see FIG. 9), the sliding pin 186remains adjacent the second ends 170, 182 of slots 162, 174,respectively.

To reconfigure a collapsed rack to the operational position, the firstand second vertical support members 22, 26 of each side frame 14, 18 aremanually forced apart. The pivot members 86, 90 slide along slide rail202 from the first ends 206 toward the second ends 210 as the pivotmembers 154, 158 slide along slide rails 242 from the second ends 250toward the first ends 246.

To configure a nested rack to the collapsed configuration, the verticalmembers 22 of each side frame 14, 18 are manually forced together. Sincethe second vertical members 26 are already in position, the hingeassembly 54 does not change orientation. As the hinge assembly 58pivots, the pivot members 154, 158 slide further along slide rails 242from the first ends 246 toward the second ends 250 as the sliding pin186 moves from the first ends 166, 178 of the slots 162, 174,respectively, to the second ends 170, 182. The rack 10 can likewise beplaced into the nested configuration from the collapsed configuration bymanually forcing vertical support members 22 of each side frame 14, 18apart. Though the pivot members 86, 90 retain their position, the pivotmembers 154, 158 slide along rails 242 from the second ends 250 towardthe first ends 246 while the sliding pin 186 moves from the second ends170, 182 to the first ends 166, 178 of the slots 162, 174.

By collapsing multiple support racks, the user saves space when storingor shipping the racks in a configuration that takes up the least amountof space when compared to the operational and nested configurations.With reference to FIG. 16, the collapsed configuration allows the userto more efficiently store the plurality of support racks 254 by stackingthem side-by-side.

With reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B, a handle assembly 272 can becoupled to the first and second end linkage members 62, 66 of the hingeassembly 54 to permit a user to more easily change the configuration ofor transport the rack 10. The handle assembly 272 includes a handleportion 276 and a mounting portion 280. The mounting portion 280 ispivotally coupled to a first mounting linkage member 284 and a secondmounting linkage member 288. The first mounting linkage member 284couples the mounting portion 280 to the first end linkage member 62 at apivot 292. The second mounting linkage member 288 couples the mountingportion 280 to the second end linkage member 66 at a pivot 294. Asillustrated, the handle assembly aids in mobility of the rack 10 in theoperational, nested, or collapsed configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 18-20, in another construction a support rack300 includes similar components to support rack 10. Instead of the hingeassembly 50, an alternative hinge assembly 304 includes a top hinge 308located proximate the top portion of the first and second side frames14, 18, and a bottom hinge 312 located proximate the caster wheels 46.For purposes of the illustrations, only the top hinge 308, which isidentical to the bottom hinge 312, will be described. The top hinge 308includes a first top linkage member 316 pivotably coupled to the firstside frame 14 at a first pivot point 320 and a second top linkage member324 pivotably coupled to the second side frame 18 at a second pivotpoint 328. The first and second top linkage members are pivotablyconnected to a center coupler 332. The hinge assembly 304 permits thesupport rack 300 to be configured in an operational configuration (FIG.18), a nested configuration (FIG. 19), and a collapsed configuration(FIG. 20) as described with respect to the support rack 10.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support rack comprising: a first side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member; a second side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member, wherein the second vertical support members of the first and second side frames define a first plane; and a hinge assembly including a first hinge sub-assembly pivotable in a plane parallel to the first plane and coupling the second vertical support members of the first and second side frames and a second hinge sub-assembly pivotably coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame for pivoting the first and second side frames relative to each other, the second hinge sub-assembly pivotable in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, wherein the hinge assembly is operable to position the first side frame from a first position relative to the second side frame to a second position relative to the second side frame, wherein in the second position the first and second side frames are nonparallel relative to each other and the second vertical support members of the first and second side frames are closer in proximity to each other than the first vertical support members are to each other.
 2. The support rack of claim 1, wherein the first hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member and a second linkage member, wherein one of the first and second linkage members defines a slot through which the other of the first and second linkage members passes.
 3. The support rack of claim 1 wherein the first hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame.
 4. The support rack of claim 1, wherein the first hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member pivotably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member pivotably coupled to the second side frame, and the first and second linkage members are pivotably coupled together.
 5. The support rack of claim 4, wherein the first linkage member is slidably coupled to the first side frame and the second linkage member is slidably coupled to the second side frame.
 6. The support rack of claim 1, wherein the first hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member slidably coupled to the second vertical support member of the first side frame and a second linkage member slidably coupled to the second vertical support member of the second side frame, the first and second linkage members being pivotably coupled to each other and one of the first and second linkage members defining a slot through which the other of the first and second linkage members passes.
 7. The support rack of claim 1, wherein the second hinge sub-assembly comprises first and second linkage members that are slidably coupled to each other.
 8. The support rack of claim 1, wherein the first hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame, the first and second linkage members being pivotably coupled to each other, and the second hinge sub-assembly comprises a third linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a fourth linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame, and the third and fourth linkage members are slidably and pivotably coupled to each other.
 9. The support rack of claim 8, wherein one of the first and second linkage members defines a slot through which the other of the first and second linkage members passes.
 10. The support rack of claim 1 wherein the second hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member pivotably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member pivotably coupled to the second side frame.
 11. The support rack of claim 1 wherein the second hinge sub-assembly comprises a first linkage member and a second linkage member, and one of the first linkage member and second linkage member is slidably coupled to one of the first side frame and the second side frame.
 12. A support rack comprising: a first side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member parallel to the first vertical support member; a second side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member parallel to the first vertical support member; and a hinge assembly pivotably coupling the first and second side frames, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first hinge that pivots in a first plane and that is pivotably coupled to the first and second side frames during pivoting of the first and second side frames relative to each other and a second hinge that pivots in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane and that is pivotably coupled to the first and second side frames during pivoting of the first and second side frames relative to each other, wherein the hinge assembly is operable to position the support rack in a first position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart, a second position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are nonparallel, and a third position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel but closer in proximity than the predetermined distance, wherein the first vertical support member and second vertical support member of each of the first and second side frames remain parallel to each other during pivoting of the first and second side frames.
 13. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the first hinge comprises a first linkage member and a second linkage member, wherein one of the first and second linkage members defines a slot through which the other of the first and second linkage members passes.
 14. The support rack of claim 12 wherein the first hinge comprises a first linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame.
 15. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the first hinge comprises a first linkage member pivotably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member pivotably coupled to the second side frame, and the first and second linkage members are pivotably coupled to each other.
 16. The support rack of claim 15, wherein the first linkage member is slidably coupled to the first side frame and the second linkage member is slidably coupled to the second side frame.
 17. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the first hinge comprises a first linkage member slidably coupled to the second vertical support member of the first side frame and a second linkage member slidably coupled to the second vertical support member of the second side frame, the first and second linkage members being pivotably coupled together and one of the first and second linkage members defining a slot through which the other of the first and second linkage members passes.
 18. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the second hinge comprises first and second linkage members that are slidably coupled to each other.
 19. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the first hinge comprises a first linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame, the first and second linkage members being pivotably coupled to each other, and the second hinge comprises a third linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a fourth linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame, and the third and fourth linkage members are slidably and pivotably coupled to each other.
 20. The support rack of claim 19, wherein one of the first and second linkage members defines a slot through which the other of the first and second linkage members passes.
 21. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the second hinge comprises a first linkage member pivotably coupled to the first side frame and a second linkage member pivotably coupled to the second side frame.
 22. The support rack of claim 12, wherein the second hinge comprises a first linkage member and a second linkage member, and one of the first linkage member and second linkage member is slidably coupled to one of the first side frame and the second side frame.
 23. A support rack comprising: a first side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support; a second side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member; and a hinge assembly pivotably coupling the first and second side frames, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first hinge that is pivotably coupled to the first and second side frames during pivoting of the first and second side frames relative to each other and a second hinge that is pivotably coupled to the first and second side frames during pivoting of the first and second side frames relative to each other, wherein the second hinge comprises a first linkage member and a second linkage member, and one of the first linkage member and second linkage member is slidably coupled to one of the first side frame and the second side frame, wherein the hinge assembly is operable to position the support rack in a first position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart, and a second position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are nonparallel.
 24. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first hinge pivots in a first plane and the second hinge pivots in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane.
 25. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first hinge comprises a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member, wherein one of the third and fourth linkage members defines a slot through which the other of the third and fourth linkage members passes.
 26. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first hinge comprises a third linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a fourth linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame.
 27. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first hinge comprises a third linkage member pivotably coupled to the first side frame and a fourth linkage member pivotably coupled to the second side frame, and the third and fourth linkage members are pivotably coupled to each other.
 28. The support rack of claim 27, wherein the third linkage member is slidably coupled to the first side frame and the fourth linkage member is slidably coupled to the second side frame.
 29. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first hinge comprises a third linkage member slidably coupled to the second vertical support member of the first side frame and a fourth linkage member slidably coupled to the second vertical support member of the second side frame, the third and fourth linkage members being pivotably coupled to each other and one of the third linkage and fourth linkage members defining a slot through which the other of the third and fourth linkage members passes.
 30. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first and second linkage members are slidably coupled to each other.
 31. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first hinge comprises a third linkage member slidably coupled to the first side frame and a fourth linkage member slidably coupled to the second side frame, the third and fourth linkage members being pivotably coupled to each other, and the first and second linkage members are slidably and pivotably coupled to each other.
 32. The support rack of claim 31, wherein one of the third and fourth linkage members defines a slot through which the other of the third and fourth linkage members passes.
 33. The support rack of claim 23, wherein the first linkage member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame and the second linkage member is pivotably coupled to the second side frame. 